Chapter 15

When Marissa and Seth had almost reached Jimmy apartment, she realized that his hand was shaking.
"Are you ok?"
Seth had a nervous look on his face. "I'm a little scared about telling your dad, that's all."
Marissa let out a giggle. "My dad's harmless. You have nothing to be nervous about."
They both let out a sigh and Marissa knocked on the door.
It seemed like an eternity for Seth before Jimmy opened the door,but when he did, Seth's nerves suddenly dissappeared.
"Hey, Mr Cooper."
"Hey, Seth." he said with a tone of confusion in his voice.
"Hi daddy." Marissa smiled. Before Jimmy had a chance to reply, Marissa added, "I think we should come in. There's something we need to tell you."
"OK." Jimmy replied, still confused. "What's going on?"
"Urm, Seth and I have fallen in love." A smile beemed from Marissa's face and as Jimmy looked towards Seth he saw the same expression on his face.
"When did this happen?"
"Over the past few weeks, sir." Seth said with more politeness than usual.
Jimmy was stunned.
"Sir, " Seth started, "We understand that you're probably a bit confused right now. Everyone else is so you're not alone."
Jimmy looked at Marissa.
"How did everyone else react?"
"Well," Marissa said, "Because of the surprise and the hurt factor, we're kind of outcasts right now."
"Hurt factor?" Jimmy asked.
"Ryan."
"Oh."
There was a long silence.
"Daddy?"
Jimmy just looked up and smiled.
"Daddy? What are you thinking right now?"
It took him a while to respond but when he did it was a good one. "Kiddo, I think this is great. It's still a bit of a shock, but I haven't seen you this happen for longer than I wish to remember."
Marissa walked over to her father and give him a huge hug. "I love you daddy."
Seth, too, walked over and offered his hand to Jimmy, who took it. "So you and my daughter, huh? I'd have never had guessed it."
Seth let out a small laugh. "That's exactly what Julie said." "Do you want something to eat?" Jimmy shouted to Seth and Marissa from the kitchen.
"Do you?" Marissa asked Seth.
"No thanks. I'm kinda parched though."
"Dad" Marissa called out "Could you just bring us in a couple of Mountain Dews?"
"No problem kiddo."
Seth and Marissa just sat there, looking at each other, smiling.
"Dad was the last person we had to tell."
"Yep. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted, you know?"
"Yeah." She leaned in for a kiss. "And I'm glad. We can just get on with everything now. We can hold hands, kiss, cuddle and not feel guilt or shame doing it."
"I know. But I want you to know that I would never feel shame doing it, whether people knew or not. You are the most beautiful wonderful person and I love you."
A tear ran down Marissa's cheek, and she leant in for another kiss. "Thank you." she whispered. "Ditto."
Seth and Marissa were unaware that Jimmy had been standing behind them for the past few minutes and had been watching the moment the two and shared. He had seen the real sincerity, care and love between them and with it, all his doubts had dissappeared.
"Hey" he finally interupted, "here are you drinks."
"Thanks."
"Do you guys want a lift back after you've finished your drinks?" he offered.
Seth looked at Marissa for a answer. She nodded.
"Yes. Thank you."

Back at the Cohen's, Ryan and Summer were sitting in the poolhouse. "Are you gonna speak to them?" Summer asked.
"I think I have to. He's my best friend, and I don't want him to think I hate him. Coz I don't."
Summer smiled.
"After what they did to you?"
"I can't. It's Seth."
"What do you mean?"
Ryan to in a deep breath. "I can't forgive the way they did this to me but I know he's not vicious or mallicious. Wanna watch a movie?" Summer smiled again and nodded.
"What films do you have?" she questioned.
"What do you like?"
"Most things. Apart from Steven Segal movies."
Ryan let out a laugh. "OK."
They walked across the yard to the kitchen entrance, and through to the living room. At that moment they heard a car pull up and two doors slammed, followed by a voice.
"Thanks Daddy, see you tomorrow."
It was Marissa and Seth.
Summer looked at Ryan and touched his shoulder. "What do you wanna do?"
Ryan looked back at her. "I gonna talk to him now. Can we take a raincheck on the movie?"
"Sure."
"Thanks."
As Marissa and Seth got to the door, they let go of each others hands.
"Why did we do that?" Marissa asked.
"I dunno." He grabbed Marissa's hand and turned towards her. "Ready?"
"Yep."
They smiled at each other and began to kiss.
They were not disturbed by the opening of the door until they realised it was Ryan standing in the doorway.
"Oh. Hey Ryan." Marissa said awkwardly.
To Marissa and Seth's surprise, he replied.
"Hey Marissa." Marissa and Seth looked at each other.
"Um, Seth," Ryan continued "I need to talk to you."
Seth suddenly became very nervous. "Yeah. Sure."
"Summer's here, Marissa. In the living room."
"Oh. Ok."
Seth and Marissa preceeded to enter the house, each worried about what Ryan would have to say to Seth.
"Good Luck." Marissa mouthed to Seth.
"Where do you wanna talk?" Seth asked Ryan.
"In the poolhouse."